First it was Duncan Keith, and now Brent Seabrook is denying he’s been asked to waive his no-movement clause after a report surfaced saying he did.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported Saturday night that Seabrook was asked by the Blackhawks to waive his NMC, but the defenseman told media members after Monday’s practice at MB Ice Arena that he hasn’t been asked.
Brent Seabrook says he has not been approached by the #Blackhawks to waive his no movement clause.
“It’s news to me… I don’t know where the reports are coming from.” pic.twitter.com/8ymPFcTXjU
— Eric Lear (@BHTVeric) February 4, 2019
After Seabrook denied the report John Dietz of The Daily Herald reached out for a respond from Friedman, who stood by what he reported.
“I understand, at least once this season there was a conversation between team, player and agent about his future in Chicago. That’s all I can really say. At some point this season, it happened.”
Seabrook, who turns 34 in April, has five years remaining on his contract after this season that carries a $6.875 million annual salary cap hit. The contract carries a full NMC until the 2022-23 season, when it includes a modified no-trade clause that he can submit a five-team trade list then a 10-team trade list in the final year of his deal.
The news about Seabrook comes on the heels of a The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun saying on TSN that the Blackhawks are planning on asking Keith to waive his NMC. Keith, however, said Saturday that “nobody’s mentioned anything to me.” After this season, the 35-year-old has four years remaining on his 13-year contract that carries a $5.53 million annual cap hit with a NMC.
Keith and Seabrook have both spent their entire NHL careers with the Blackhawks since being drafted in back-to-back years in 2002 and 2003, respectively. They’ve both played a key role in turning the franchise around and winning three Stanley Cup championships.